Written question asked by David Laws (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 6 March 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 14 March 2002. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Thursday, 14 March 2002 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many members of the armed forces are serving in the Gulf; and what has been the figure in each of the last four quarters. - Inc figures and fact that information relating to earlier periods not available centrally and disproportionate cost.

Answer: Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces are serving in the Gulf; and what has been the figure in each of the last four quarters. [41853] Mr. Ingram: The number of United Kingdom armed forces personnel serving in the Persian Gulf region fluctuates. Operational Detachments, Defence Attaches, Liaison Officers, Staff College students, training advisory teams and other service personnel are deployed, and their numbers are kept under review. In addition assets are regularly deployed and/or recovered for a variety of reasons; for example in September and October 2001 23,000 men and women were deployed to Oman for exercise Saif Sareea II. The number of Service personnel in the Gulf region at the beginning of March is approximately 2,100. Information relating to earlier periods is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Secondary information